Black Moon Draw(95)

The neighbor’s alarm clock is going off and one of my cats meows and leaps onto the back of the couch.

“Tuna?” I pick him up. The downy gray fur of my oldest cat makes me shiver. His purr rattles against my fingers, the lean body and softness only making my confusion worse.

How can I be here? Did I get sent back? If so, why? Because it was too late to save the world and I got booted?

Or . . . is this the illusion created by the curse? Another trial?

“I don’t understand.” There’s no doubt it’s my apartment.

If the story on Wattpad has been updated, I can find out what’s supposed to happen next.

A heavy emotion I can’t yet name is unraveling in my breast. My hands tremble with urgency and dread at the thought of discovering my adventure is over or worse – the Shadow Knight is truly dead.

Setting Tuna down, I pat the chair in front of my computer desk to make sure it, too, is solid then sit heavily. Nudging the mouse to wake up my computer, I check the date and frown. It’s the morning after my drinking bout. Less than nine hours have passed.

“That’s not possible,” I mumble in a scratchy voice. I lean forward to touch the wall before me, not sure how it can be solid when I saw it morph into existence out of nothing.

Staring blankly at the computer screen, I notice one of my minimized apps is blinking. It’s a chat app.

“Who did I message last night?” I murmur and click on it. I gasp. “LF!”

Scrolling to the top of the conversation, I lean forward and read the exchange eagerly, seeking clues as to what I’m supposed to do now.





Hey LF-Whats takin so long with the story? It’s not like you have to do research. Its made up right? And why don’t you have a proofreader? You know how to spell coincidenc? I can help you. I’m a librarian. I like books and I hate my life coz my bf dumped me for a diff girl but I can proofread good.





“Holy hell, Naia,” I mutter, my cheeks hot. I have no idea why she responded to that drunken disaster. Although, I have to admit, for being drunk, it’s not the worst message I’ve ever sent. Thoroughly embarrassed, I read her response.





Hello, Naia78! I’m so sorry to hear about your boyfriend. That’s great that you’re a librarian. Are any of my books in your library? I can send you a few, if you want! Sorry about the typos – I’ll get better about those. You know I have a character in Black Moon Draw named Naia? What an awesome coincidence (spelled correctly this time, right?) LOL





“Omigod I love this lady,” I say, relieved she doesn’t think I’m batshit crazy. Of course, my next message makes me wish she’d ignored me.





My name is Naia too! Maybe you can put me in a book! I can chop off heads with shadow Night and maybe jason’s head. I hate my life. You are so lucky – you think of good books that make life better. I just read. I don’t even have a car. That’s how bad life sucks. I wish I could start over . . . find out who I am . . . go somewere happy . . . find a good man. . .





The warrior queen of Black Moon Draw said she had asked for a new life. It looks like, in a drunken stupor, I did as well. My eyes water. I wipe them and continue reading. LF’s next response causes me to squeak.





The worlds I write are so real to me. I think sometimes they might actually exist. LOL How silly is that? But I’d be happy to put you in a book, Naia.? In fact, I need a heroine for Black Moon Draw, someone who can save the Shadow Knight and his people from certain destruction. Sound like somewhere you’d like to go?





My breath catches. I reread it. “So she did send me there and I’m supposed to save him.” Grappling with the revelation, I can’t help feeling even more perplexed by what the hell is going on. “Why am I here? Did I miss my chance?” I seek some sign my apartment is an illusion and find nothing but familiarity in my surroundings.

Technically, we did exactly what was needed to break the curse. The Shadow Knight conquered eight kingdoms and had the sworn allegiance of the remaining two before his last breath. Then, I went to face the magic at the heart of Black Moon Draw and ended up . . . here.

There’s nothing but two smiley faces – one from me and the final from LF – in the message. No instructions or additional details about what she was planning to do next.

I sit back and stare at the messages, unable to believe I volunteered to be a book character. I had no way of knowing it was real. Rereading her responses, I search for clues as to what I’m supposed to do now, how I can help the Shadow Knight.

How to get back. My hand hovers over the mouse and I examine the churning instincts that are all too aware of how little time the Shadow Knight’s world has.

Pulling up the story on Wattpad, I’m astonished to see LF has added so many chapters. I skim through them as fast as I can, even more alarmed to see my adventure in Black Moon Draw written, word for word, detailing every thought, word, and tear, by an author I’ve never met before, who doesn’t even have a website.

Hurrying to the latest, and last entry, I flip urgently to the final page, and any hope of finding out what happens next crashes.





“Fare thee well, Naia,” the Red Knight says and releases my hand.